Dodgers finally find a way to get four outfielders in the lineup

Andre Ethier will start at DH if the Dodgers game against the Twins on Wednesday isn't rained out.

Andre Ethier will start at DH if the Dodgers game against the Twins on Wednesday isn't rained out. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)

Steve Dilbeck

The Dodgers, playing AL's Minnesota Twins, use DH spot to get all four of their outfielders in the lineup

There you go, no problem at all. All four outfielders in the lineup at once.

Turns out this would never be a problem, if the Dodgers were just an American League team.

But weather permitting, the Dodgers will play their first road game against an American League team tonight in Minnesota. And with the thumb of shortstop Hanley Ramirez deemed healthy enough to play the field, the Dodgers simply bumped an extra outfielder over to designated hitter.

In their lineup for Wednesday’s game, it was Andre Ethier’s turn to try the designated-hitter routine. That was curious only because he’s a better outfielder than left fielder Carl Crawford, and I would argue, better in center than Matt Kemp.

But against the right-handed Kyle Gibson, all four are scheduled to start. Manager Don Mattingly elected to bat Crawford ninth and continue Dee Gordon in the leadoff spot.

If they get their doubleheader in on Thursday, they’re scheduled to face Minnesota left-hander Kris Johnson in one of the games. And the way Mattingly has been going, that means outfielder Scott Van Slyke will start and presumably Crawford or Ethier will sit.